Getting a head start on fall home maintenance will help you reign in energy costs and provide a more comfortable home home throughout the year. These inexpensive projects provide a high return on investment of time and money.
Air Leaks
- Look around the window frames outside for small cracks and crevices that let air inside and out. Seal them with exterior acrylic or latex caulk.
- Inspect the seal between the exterior doors and their frames. Seeing light coming through the door frame at night indicates the weatherstripping is worn. Replacing it will seal the door tightly and prevent drafts. A door sweep or draft blocker will stop air leakage at the base of the door.
Exterior Maintenance
- Check the roof for any missing shingles or broken tiles. This part of fall home maintenance will help keep moisture on roof from getting into the attic.
- Clean out the gutters. The rain will drain faster and prevent problems developing along the fascia. Plus, it will keep run-off from spilling down into your foundation where it can get inside your house.
Indoors
- Have your furnace or heat pump professionally serviced. A well-maintained system uses less energy and runs dependably throughout the heating season. The technician will verify a combustion furnace is operating and venting properly and that the ductwork is tight.
- Ask the technician to show you how, when and where to change the air filter for the furnace or air handler. A clean air filter is essential to get the most efficiency and longevity from your HVAC system.
- Add insulation if your attic has less than 10 inches, the minimum amount the U.S. Department of Energy recommends. Fiberglass batts or blown-in insulation offer affordable ways to reduce heat loss and gain year-round.
- Test the smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detector batteries if they have them (some are plug-in or hardwired).
The experts at Bill Joplin’s Air Conditioning & Heating can help you with your heating system’s fall home maintenance requirements. We’ve provided top-notch HVAC services for the Collin County area since 1978.
